A BURGLAR made a getaway on a mobility scooter after he was caught climbing into a woman's window late at night.

John Francis, who also had a working Taser in his city home, stole a bank card during a burglary in Hillery Road, Worcester and used the Santander card to carry out a string of frauds, splashing out on designer sports gear, whisky and a drill.

The 44-year-old of Wyld's Lane, Worcester even attempted to burgle another city house while the woman was asleep in her bedroom. First she saw his hand, then his head, poking through her window. When she shouted at him he made his getaway - on his mobility scooter.

The disabled night raider admitted a catalogue of crimes at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday, leaving his scooter parked outside.

Hobbling into the dock, Francis was asked if he was guilty to all matters.

He replied: "Absolutely - that's what I told the police straight away."

Francis pleaded guilty to a burglary on May 26 this year during which he stole a laptop, an iPad, an iPhone 11 and bank cards.

Francis was captured on CCTV using the stolen cards to commit six frauds by false representation across Worcester between May 27 and 28, the day after the burglary.

A search of his home on June 9 this year revealed that he had a viable 'home made' Taser which could discharge electricity.

He admitted possession of the weapon after telling officers he had seen how to make it on YouTube, telling them it was 'for his own protection'.

Francis also pleaded guilty to attempting to burgle a house in Devon Road, Worcester on May 30 this year but was disturbed climbing in through a window.

Ralph Robyns-Landricombe said the burglary at Hillery Road was carried out between 2am and 7am, the defendant entering though an insecure rear kitchen window. Using a bank card stolen in that burglary, the defendant fraudulently purchased various items from different Worcester shops.

Francis bought a £45 drill from Wickes in Worcester, some Adidas trainers worth £36 from Sports Direct, a hoodie and carrier bag from Mountain Warehouse worth £42, a cap and an Adidas mask worth £28 from JD Sports, some earphones from Asda worth £36 and a £15 bottle of whisky from St Paul's News.

Describing the attempted burglary in Devon Road, the prosecutor said: "The victim was asleep in her bedroom and she has seen a hand coming through her bedroom window. The defendant puts his head through the window, she shouted at him and he left. She saw him going off in a mobility scooter."

The window had been unlocked because of the warm weather. Having been identified on CCTV, a search of his address in Wyld's Lane revealed a Taser.

In interview Francis, who has 16 previous convictions, said he had worked at the address he burgled as a decorator. It was then he noticed cash in the kitchen and decided to return later and steal the money.

Of the Taser he said it was 'viable' and he had 'built it for his own protection' after watching videos on YouTube.

He said of the attempted burglary that he left the address when he saw movement 'as soon as he could on his mobility scooter'.

"He did state that he did not wish to frighten the female at the address, had no money and was looking for things to steal" said the prosecutor.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction for the case. A pre-sentence report was ordered ahead of the next hearing at Worcester Crown Court on October 14.

Francis was granted bail on condition he live and sleep at his address in Wyld's Lane and that he remains indoors between 10pm and 7am.